After relocating to Hamburg in 2003, Nneka has been working closely with the hip hop beatmaker DJ Farhot. As a young singer she first gained public attention in 2004 while performing as an opening act for dancehall reggae star Sean Paul at Hamburg Stadtpark. After much acclaim, Nneka released her debut EP The Uncomfortable Truth with the music label Yo Mama's Recording Company after which she performed on her first tour with Patrice, playing shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
She finished recording her first album in the autumn of 2005. Entitled Victim of Truth. Garnering rave reviews from the media, the UK's Sunday Times later declared it “the year’s most criminally overlooked album”, comparing it favourably to 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'.
In February 2008, she released her second album, No Longer at Ease. The title of the album is taken from a novel of the same name by Chinua Achebe and reflects the lyrical content of the record. Most of the songs are political, talking about the plight of the Niger Delta and the corruption in Nneka’s homeland. “No Longer at Ease” combines the political and the personal in “a winning mix of soul, hip-hop an reggae”. The lead single from it, "Heartbeat", became her first song to break into the German Top 50.
In November 2009, Nneka staged her first concert tour of the United States where she performed shows in New York City, Vienna (Washington DC), Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Furthermore she was a special guest on The Roots Jam session. Her first US release Concrete Jungle was set for 2 February 2010.
Nneka recorded her last album Soul Is Heavy in Nigeria. She also co-founded a charity foundation called the "ROPE foundation" with Genda, Ahmed Nyei from Sierra Leone. She has worked extensively in charity and arts with the foundation in Sierra Leone. Nneka has also worked with Reebok and her track "Shinning" topped global charts in 2013.
Heart.beat
Nneka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In times of trouble when I need you and I'm down
And likewise you need friendship
It's from my side pure love but I see lately things have been changing
You have goals to achieve
But the roads you take are broad and heartless
The wounds you make you are no aware
You throw stones
But you don't give a damn
Can you feel my heart is beating
Can you see the pain you're causing
Can you feel my heart is beating
Can you see the pain you're causing
Blood blood blood blood is rushing
And now the world is asleep
How will you ever wake her up when she is deep in her dreams, wishing
And yet so many die
And still we think that it is all about us
It's all about you
You sold your soul to the evil and the lust
And the passion and the money and you
Innocent ones die, people hunger for decades
Suffer under civilized armed-robbers, modern slaveholders
Can you feel my heart is beating
Can you see the pain you're causing
Can you feel my heart is beating
Can you see the pain you're causing
Blood blood blood keeps rushing
Evaded, eliminated, erased, interrogated
Our tradition, our love for our fellow countrymen
Our property, our resources our pride
Can you feel my heart beating
No no no you don't
Can you feel my heart is beating
Can you feel the pain you're causing
Can you feel my heart is beating
Can you feel the pain you're causing
In this song, Nneka is speaking to a friend or lover who promised to be there for her in times of trouble and need. However, she feels that this person has changed and has become more selfish in their pursuits. The person has goals to achieve, but is taking heartless and broad roads to get there, causing wounds along the way. Nneka is hurt and feels unseen by this person who no longer cares about her well-being.
The chorus of the song is a plea for the person to feel Nneka's pain and see the harm they are causing. The line "blood blood blood keeps rushing" emphasizes the overwhelming emotions she is feeling, as if her heart is literally racing.
Line by Line Meaning
You said you'd be there for me
You promised to support me.
In times of trouble when I need you and I'm down
Especially in difficult moments, when I require your aid.
And likewise you need friendship
You also need a companion to share experiences with.
It's from my side pure love but I see lately things have been changing
I have always loved you deeply, but presently, your actions are not reciprocating my sentiments.
You have goals to achieve
You aspire to accomplish some aims.
But the roads you take are broad and heartless
Unfortunately, the methods you employ are cruel and lack compassion.
The wounds you make you are no aware
You are oblivious to the harm you cause to others.
You throw stones
You attack and criticize without provocation.
Can you see that I am human I am breathing
Can you recognize that I am a person, like you, and have emotions and needs?
But you don't give a damn
But you don't care about my feelings or my perspective.
Can you feel my heart is beating
Do you understand how hurtful your actions are?
Can you see the pain you're causing
Are you aware of the suffering that your behavior brings about?
Blood blood blood blood is rushing
The singer's circulation is quickened due to the strong emotions caused by the situation.
And now the world is asleep
The world is unaware of the issues and is inactive in addressing them.
How will you ever wake her up when she is deep in her dreams, wishing
How will they prompt others to action when everyone is inactive and focused on their own interests?
And yet so many die
Despite this, countless individuals lose their lives.
And still we think that it is all about us
Even after seeing others' suffering, many individuals remain self-centered.
You sold your soul to the evil and the lust
You have compromised your values for gain and pleasure.
And the passion and the money and you
Your actions are driven by ambition and monetary gain.
Innocent ones die, people hunger for decades
People suffer and are vulnerable, even if they are innocent and guilty of no wrongdoing.
Suffer under civilized armed-robbers, modern slaveholders
People are exploited and held captive, either by authoritarian regimes or through socioeconomic systems.
Evaded, eliminated, erased, interrogated
Individuals are deprived of their rights and freedoms, hunted down, erased or questioned for voicing their opinions.
Our tradition, our love for our fellow countrymen
Our customs and our care for one another as citizens.
Our property, our resources our pride
Our assets and our belongings, our irrefutable dignity.
No no no you don't
You do not feel the singer's pain or pay attention to their message.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: NASIR JONES, NNEKA-LUCIA EGBUNA, FARHAD SAMADZADA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-mn9vk3ek1h
Anyone in 2024🎉🎉🎉
@szymonzawadzki7223
Jestem
@pietrosanchez5593
2023 here. Just had her name browsing my mind from mémoires. Saw her in concert in Kings Cross back on 2009. Pure soul and talent. Cant find any recent materials from her sadly
@marianab2191
On Spotify! She's released two albums on the last couple of years.
@tessyamen1579
So sad africa especially Nigerians don't recognize such genres of music, she's too underrated here☹️. I'm forever a fan Nneka🥰
@wood4sheep
Almost as bad as a feminist roommate dismissing it as the recommendation came from a dude.
@florianadolf2256
What? Why??! Nneka is totally awesome... U know what? I bet it's this lousy algorithm piece of junk, serving people way too much of all that watered-down mainstream stuff and all the other pabulum, that the music industry is so eager to promote. Pity. I gotta say, I just came across this tune literally a couple of minutes ago - and I instantly fell in love with her. And Heartbeat.🤘
@astrinchandler1849
Same in America.
@wenitokoni8460
You're correct... But I think some managed to be reckoned with like Asa and Cobhams
@CareyCez
HERE in 2024, such a powerful song